New Bachelor's Degree Program

Every new bachelor's program requires the approval of the School in which it will be offered, the concurrence of the deans of the other schools, and of several central University administrative officers. A proposal for a new bachelor's program does not need to be reviewed by the University Senate, but it does require the approval of the University Trustees if it will lead to a degree that the School has not already been authorized to award.

Once the proposal has the necessary University approvals, it must be registered by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and may also need the approval of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education if it alters the University's accredited status.

To request approval of a new program, its sponsors should complete a New Program Proposal Application for APAS which provides the information needed for the internal University reviews. Applications for new programs are processed through the Academic Program Approval System (APAS). Please contact the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Programs (OVPAP) at ovpap@columbia.edu or (212) 854-2691 for access to APAS. Before entering a new program into APAS you should complete the New Program Proposal Pre-APAS Worksheet.

The NYSED forms may vary depending on the subject matter of the new program. Schools should consult OVPAP on the appropriate NYSED forms to use before they begin filling them out.

Proposals for a new bachelor’s program go through at least three reviews and as many as five.